After deciding to pull the plug on their relationship, The Bachelor stars issued a statement to In Touch: "After meeting over a year ago, we have decided to end our romantic relationship. The ups and downs weighed heavily on us both and ultimately we started to grow apart because of the distance, time apart, and our need to focus on our respective careers. We have nothing but the utmost respect for each other, and both feel this is the right decision." The couple indicated they plan to remain friends.

The shocking news of their split is even more surprising because the pair hard hinted at marriage locations on Twitter — Ben doing so as recently as last August, during a trip to San Francisco.